7th+Grade


 * Seventh Grade Program of Study** **PLANNING A PROGRAM OF STUDIES**

The program of studies which students plan for themselves will help them to enjoy successful and profitable high school careers. The program will also determine how well prepared these students will be for entering college or for obtaining and holding jobs. Well planned programs of studies will contribute to the day-by-day personal growth and happiness of the students.

**IN DEVELOPING A PROGRAM OF STUDIES A STUDENT SHOULD:**

__**Establish personal goals**__. Students should have some specific educational, occupational, and personal goals toward which they are working. They should be allowed to revise these goals if necessary. The important point is that they have some goals.

__**Evaluate personal qualifications**.__ Students should consider honestly what their real interests are, where their own strengths and weaknesses lie, and what their needs will be in achieving their personal goals.

__**Learn requirements for college entrance**.__ Students should investigate just what the colleges of their choice expect of applicants since colleges vary in their requirements for College Board scores, rank in class, and in subjects taken in high school. Knowing what their colleges require, students can then plan their programs of study accordingly. Many colleges require a minimum of a two-year sequence in a modern foreign language. Students who do not plan to attend college should find out all the information that they can about the kind of work they plan to do after graduation from high school.

__**Visit colleges, technical schools or places of employment**__. Students will learn through visitations whether they really are suited for the colleges, schools, or places of employment in which they have shown an interest.

__**Consult parents, teachers, and guidance counselors**__. Students should confer with parents, teachers, and guidance counselors to obtain the benefit of their experiences and to become aware of available information.

__**Select subjects in the program of studies**__. Students should take into consideration their goals, interest, and needs, and their college or vocational school requirements, and the advice of parents, teachers, and counselor; then they should include in their programs of studies the subjects that will contribute most toward helping them achieve their established goals


 * STUDENTS ARE REMINDED OF THE FOLLOWING: **
 * Certain basic subjects are requirements of all students at Susquehanna.
 * Elective subjects should be selected on the basis of the student’s individual aptitudes, interest, and skills.
 * Students should discuss their choice of electives with their parents and guidance counselor.
 * Students should select carefully from the course offering for each grade.
 * Students and __one of their parents must sign__ the Program of Study sheet.Once the sheet is signed, __no course changes will be allowed without permission from the high school office and parent__.
 * Students who need help in selecting subjects for a program of study, or who desire further information concerning the courses and subjects offered at Susquehanna may come to the Guidance Office for an appointment.

Content mastery and performances of the student learning outcomes shall be deemed successful when a student can demonstrate learning outcomes of the 70% level or better. The district is in the process of developing what will be assessed (criteria) for the planned course outcomes. These will be developed as the planned courses are written.(See planned course action plan). Please note—Satisfactory completion of an IEP shall also constitute mastery of student learning outcomes. The IEP will specify how the mastery of the outcome will be adapted to meet the specific needs of identified students.

**PROGRAM OF STUDIES FOR GRADE SEVEN** **Academic Curriculum**


 * __ English 7 __**

This course covers the PA Core Standards for Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking, which can be accessed at [|www. pdesas.org].

 This course is designed to help students transition from elementary level work to junior high level work. The curriculum for this course centers on building on knowledge and skills already acquired, specifically in the areas of reading literature and informational texts, writing, speaking and listening, and language. To meet the demands of the curriculum, students will read and analyze a variety of texts including several short stories, articles, poems, and novels. Students will learn to appreciate a variety of literary genres including poetry, nonfiction, and fiction. Students will learn the elements of fiction and figurative language.

 In addition, students will do a study of grammar and learn to identify and properly use the parts of speech in their writing and speaking. Through composition of paragraphs and essays, students will be able to display an understanding of how to write complete sentences, demonstrate the rules of agreement, employ a variety of new vocabulary words, and learn to support a thesis statement. Finally, students will learn to work cooperatively and be expected to participate in classroom discussions effectively.


 * __ Reading 7 __**

This course covers the Pennsylvania Core Standards for Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking, specifically standards 1.2, 1.3, and 1.4.

 Students will learn effective reading strategies that will help them utilize the text in order to increase comprehension. In addition, students read a variety of texts for the purpose of analyzing and evaluating the effectiveness of the writing. In doing so, students learn what is needed in order to improve their own writing. Our new StudySync program stresses text analysis and written expression of analysis which will benefit all students. Independent reading is stressed throughout the year and students are expected to bring a book to class.

 Assessment is based on a combination of StudySync activities, tests, projects, and class work.

__** READ 180 **__

__**Read 180 (Stage B or Stage C): **__ Read 180 is an innovative reading intervention program by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. READ 180 is a research-based program with proven results in raising student reading achievement. READ 180 uses cutting-edge technology to deliver individualized reading instruction, provide valuable skills practice, and motivate students to become confident readers. In our READ 180 class, students and teachers work together to: • Build essential literacy skills for college and career readiness. • Bring reading proficiency up to grade level. • Develop multi-paragraph writing skills. • Apply reading and writing strategies to other subjects such as social studies, science, and math. • Show students that they can attain reading success. This class meets for two periods each day.

**__Math 7__** (2 periods per day)

The mathematics department has adopted a program which has been developed by Carnegie Learning to meet the requirements of the Keystone exam. Carnegie Math is an integrated series which includes Course 1, 2, 3; Math 180; Algebra, Algebra 1, Algebra 2 and Geometry. The courses are hybrid combination of classwork with a focus on cooperative learning and problem solving skills and computer time to develop fundamental skills through individual practice. The classes will be divided roughly 60-40 for class/computer time.

The Carnegie Learning Math Series Course 2 is written specifically for the Common Core State Standards. This course contains complete alignment, coverage, and support for the Standards for Mathematical Content and Practice. Course 2 focuses on proportional reasoning, developing number sense, algebraic thinking, geometry, and statistical thinking and probability.
 * Course 2 **

MATH 180 is an innovative math intervention program by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. MATH 180 is a research-based program with proven results in raising student math achievement. MATH 180 uses cutting-edge technology to deliver individualized math instruction, provide valuable skills practice, and motivate students to develop confidence and fluency in math. In our MATH 180 class, students and teachers work together to: • Build essential math skills for college and career readiness. • Bring math proficiency up to grade level. • Develop mathematical practices and habits of mind. • Apply math skills to solve real-world problems. • Show students they can attain academic success in math.
 * Math 180 (Course 1 or 2): **

 *All math classes cover the Pennsylvania Core Standards of Mathematics.

__** Geography 7 **__

This course provides an overview of geography as an academic subject. Both physical and human geography are discussed in great detail through project based learning and intensive writing requirements. Students are also exposed to the local geography of Pennsylvania, including the bluestone and natural gas industries, as well as the geography of the world. The Pennsylvania Standards for Geography and Pennsylvania History are assessed through notebook grades, quizzes, tests, homework, and projects.

__** Science 7 **__

This course follows the Pennsylvania Academic Standards of Science, Technology, Environment, and Ecology. It is an integrated science course covering all disciplines of science which are tested during the 8th grade PSSA for Science. The course is taught through a variety of methods, including but not limited to: note taking, inquiry-based lab activities, differentiated learning processes, writing projects, and technology-based projects. Students are required to keep an Interactive Notebook, are expected to participate in lab activities, and are to take personal responsibility for their learning both in and out of the classroom.

__** Physical Education **__

This course covers the Pennsylvania academics standards of Health, Safety, and Physical Education. Physical Education is that phase of education which endeavors to promote physical fitness through instructional and participation in activities which develop strength, speed, agility, endurance, fundamental motor skills and individual and social conduct and attitudes favorable to maintenance of physical fitness by participation. All Physical Education students who have a medical excuse must do one of two things to receive a grade in Physical Education class. (1) Students will dress for class, do what exercises possible and help in the class by keeping score or referring. (2) Go to the library or study hall with a term paper assignment which must be handed in at the end of Medical excuse or quarter to receive a grade. Classes missed for absence or disciplinary reasons must be made up as so as possible. P.E. grading system is based on being prepared for class with proper P. E. uniform along with cooperating with classmates/ teachers according to school policy. Students must fully engage in each class objective to receive full credit per class. Points will be deducted/added based on objective participation. Sleeved, T-shirt, athletic gym shorts; and proper gym sneakers. It also includes full participation by the students in the class. If the student does not have the proper uniform and/or footwear for P.E., it is considered an unexcused class. The student will have 10 points deducted from his or her grade per unprepared class.

**PRACTICAL & FINE ARTS CURRICULUM** 45 DAY SEGMENT

//__**Project Lead The Way**__// (1/4 credit)

PLTW is a “hands-on” engineering-based program that incorporates Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) all into the same course. The course is a rotational class for the 7th grade. According to Project Lead the Way: the program “focuses on showing-not telling-students how engineers use technology to solve everyday problems.” The course section is called Design and Modeling. Students will learn the design process, measurement, sketching, Computer Aided Design and small tool use. This is the first rotation of the PLTW gateway to Technology program.

__** Music 7 **__

Students will be introduced to a variety of music created throughout the history of western civilization and the composers who wrote that music. Connections between such music and the music students listen to today will be discovered. Students will also be exposed to the traditional music and cultures of other countries, with the possibility of creating their own ethnic-inspired music.

__** Art 7 **__

This is a 22-day discipline-based curriculum. Students will gain a basic understanding of variety of two-dimensional and three-dimensional media.

__** Library Information Skills **__

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">All seventh graders are required to take 22 days of library information skills class meeting the Pennsylvania State Standards for Research. The basic objectives are of the course are to recognize the need for information, to identify and locate appropriate sources, to evaluate the quality, and to organize and to use information and to research. The course will cover accessing library resources for curriculum related activities, developing search strategies, selecting appropriate print and electronic sources, and including information in a formally written paragraph with appropriate in-text and works cited citations.

This course covers the Pennsylvania Academic Standards for: [|Reading, Writing, Speaking, and Listening].

__** Fast ForWord **__

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">The Fast ForWord program is a computer-based program, which uses acoustically modified speech to rapidly develop the cognitive skills that help students make the link between spoken words and reading. It’s an intervention which builds a wide range of critical cognitive and foundational reading skills in just a few weeks. Fast ForWord produces a positive and lasting effect on a student’s ability to learn and read proficiently. The skills include: Listening Comprehension, Sound-Letter Recognition, Phonological Awareness, Beginning Word Recognition, English Language Conventions, Vocabulary, Sentence and Paragraph Comprehension, and Decoding Skills.

__** Computer Applications 7 **__

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">This course covers the Pennsylvania Academic Standards of Science and Technology. It is a 22.5-day introductory course designed to review and reinforce computer applications that will assist students in using technologies integrated into their other courses. Emphasis will be on the use of Google’s software programs: Docs and Slides. They will then compare the use of the Google software to its Microsoft Office counterparts. This class provides hands-on lessons using Google Apps, Microsoft Office 2013 and various other online programs.

__** Electives **__

__** Concert Band **__

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">Band is open to all current instrumental students or students new to their particular instrument. Students will have opportunities to reinforce ensemble skills as well as broaden their knowledge of music through the study and performance of music from a variety of musical eras and cultures, traditional and contemporary. All students in this ensemble are required to participate in two or three performances each year, most notably the evening Holiday and Spring concerts as well as the Memorial Day and graduation ceremonies. Occasional opportunities to perform at community events may occur.

__** Chorus **__

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">Chorus is year-long course of instruction in vocal techniques and performance. Students will demonstrate proficiency and be graded on the following criteria: sing alone and with others, sight-read repertoire, identify and apply musical terms of notation, expression and articulation, demonstrate understanding of correct posture, breath support, and embouchure, articulation, pitch and tone. Students will have opportunities to reinforce ensemble skills as well as broaden their knowledge of music through the study and performance of music from a variety of musical eras and cultures, traditional and contemporary. All students in this ensemble are required to participate in two or three performances each year, most notably the evening Holiday and Spring concerts. Occasional opportunities to perform at community events may occur.

**Program of Study** **__7th Grade Learning Support__**

**Study Skills**: The Itinerant Learning Support teacher is available for those students who have been identified as needing special education services. The duties of the Itinerant Learning Support Teacher include helping students prepare for tests and quizzes, receive specially-designed instruction for testing services, teaching organizational skills, prioritizing and completing homework assignments, and monitoring the student's progress in the general education curriculum.

**Reading:** The course covers the Pennsylvania academic standards for Reading, Speaking, and Listening. This course utilizes the SRA Direct Instruction Reading Program, the Reading Mastery Plus Program, and The Strategies to Achieve Reading Success Program. They emphasize development in recognizing sight words, reading decoding/comprehension, vocabulary, and study skills. Improving reading levels is the primary goal of these programs.

Is a foundational reading program designed for the most challenged struggling readers in Grades 3-12. Intentionally metacognitive, System 44 helps students understand that the English language is a finite system of 44 sounds and 26 letters that can be mastered.
 * Read System 44: **

**English, Science, and Social Studies:** The course covers the Pennsylvania academics standards for each content area. Learning Support students participate in these regular education classes. Depending on individual needs, the student could be placed in a class that utilizes the co-teaching model which allows the regular education teacher and special education teacher to work together to provide an optimal learning environment. Curricular adaptations and modifications are in accordance with each student's Individualized Educational Plan.

**Math:** <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">Math 180 (Course 1 or 2):

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">MATH 180 is an innovative math intervention program by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. MATH 180 is a research-based program with proven results in raising student math achievement. MATH 180 uses cutting-edge technology to deliver individualized math instruction, provide valuable skills practice, and motivate students to develop confidence and fluency in math. In our MATH 180 class, students and teachers work together to: • Build essential math skills for college and career readiness. • Bring math proficiency up to grade level. • Develop mathematical practices and habits of mind. • Apply math skills to solve real-world problems. • Show students they can attain academic success in math.